The Protestant mind of the English Reformation, 1570-1640

From 1570 to 1640, Protestantism became the leading moral and intellectual force in England. During these seven decades of rapid social change, the English Protestants were challenged to make "morally and spiritually comprehensible" a new pattern of civilization. In numerous sermons and tracts such men as Donne, Hall, Hooker, Laud, and Perkins explored the meaning of man and his society. The nature of the Protestant mind is a crucial question in modern historiography and sociology. Drawing on the writings of these important years, the authors find that the real genius of the Protestant mind was not “Puritanism,” but the __via media__, the reconciliation of religious and social tensions. “'Puritanism,’” the authors show, “is a word, not a thing.” Originally published in 1961. The **Princeton Legacy Library** uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905. Preface Contents Introduction PART I. THE BASIC STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH PROTESTANT MIND 1. The English Protestant and Human Nature The Problem of Salvation Sin Faith Predestination Conclusion 2. The English Protestant and Society The Problem of a Christian Society Christian Brotherhood Christian Equalitarianism The Protestant Saint PART II. THE SOCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH PROTESTANT MIND 3. English Protestant Economic Theory: The World and its Callings In the Sweat of Thy Face Shalt Thou Eat Bread The Protestant Concept of Wealth The Protestant Concept of "Calling" 4. English Protestant Economic Theory: The Challenge of Capitalism The Weber Thesis The Tragedy of Change Calvinism to Capitalism? 5. The Political Thought of the Church: The Crisis of Reformation The Clergy as Political Theorists Church and State 6. The Political Thought of the Church: The Dilemma of Modernity Divine Right and Sovereignty Law Parliament and the Political Classes Nationalism and War 7. The English Protestant and the Family Sex and Christianity Marriage The Status of the Wife The Status of the Child The Status of the Servant 8. The English Protestant and the Church The Historical Setting The Nature of the Church The Ministry The Scriptural Foundation Sacraments and Ceremonies Church Government PART III. PROTESTANTISM AND REVOLUTION 9. The English Protestant and the Via Media The Problem of Variety in Unity The Puritans The Broad and Middle Way Bibliographical Notes Index From 1570 to 1640, Protestantism became the leading moral and intellectual force in England. During these seven decades of rapid social change, the English Protestants were challenged to make "morally and spiritually comprehensible" a new pattern of civilization. In numerous sermons and tracts such men as Donne, Hall, Hooker, Laud, and Perkins explored the meaning of man and his society. The nature of the Protestant mind is a crucial question in modern historiography and sociology. Drawing on the writings of these important years, the authors find that the real genius of the Protestant mind was not "Puritanism," but the via media , the reconciliation of religious and social tensions. "'Puritanism,'" the authors show, "is a word, not a thing." Originally published in 1961. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905. Annotation The Description for this book, Protestant Mind of English Reformation, 1570-1640, will be forthcoming